Ballard Designs Review: Wall Art Stores

Ballard Designs, started in 1982 by Helen Ballard Weeks in Atlanta, Georgia, began as a small brochure and has grown into a well-known company selling home furnishings and décor. They're known for their traditional style in furniture and décor.

Good social media presence

One thing we noticed is how effectively Ballard Designs utilizes social media. They have almost 430,000 followers on Instagram, a popular TikTok account, and a podcast called "How To Decorate." Ballard Designs aims to help people make their homes reflect their own style, offering a variety of furniture, lights, wall decorations, and more. They serve both regular customers and professional interior designers, selling their products through a catalog, online, and in physical stores.

Can't filter by style

With a mere 213 results for wall art, it's safe to say this platform doesn't specialize in it. Remember how we said they lean traditional in aesthetic? Even their attempts at modern art seem to carry a touch of nostalgia. While you can refine your search by subject, color, frame finish, type (framed vs. unframed, canvas, or wood print), and orientation, oddly there's no option to filter by style.

Wide price range

Pricewise, you'll find Ballard Designs pieces ranging from a budget-friendly $25 to $3,000. However, the bulk of their offerings fall within the $250 to $1,000 range. Interestingly, their best-seller is a somewhat amateurish series of watercolor paintings featuring trees. Unfortunately, it's challenging to get a closer look because the "roll over image to zoom" feature appears to be malfunctioning. As for the specific pricing, a single 13"x13" print from this tree-themed series was on sale for $95.20 at the time of our review, marked down from its original price of $119. It could be worth considering if you're in the market for something rustic and understated.

Exclusive Artists program supports creatives

Ballard Designs does not sell original art in the traditional sense of unique, one-of-a-kind pieces directly from the artist. Instead, they offer an Exclusive Artists program, which is a collaboration with a select group of independent artists. These artists, who typically showcase their work in galleries, create unique pieces exclusively for Ballard Designs. The artwork available through this program is described by Ballard as "the next best thing to original art," offering a high-quality, gallery-like experience at a more accessible price point. This initiative allows customers to access exclusive, artful creations that are not available elsewhere, while also supporting the careers of the independent artists involved.

Standard return policy

If you're not satisfied with your Ballard purchase, you have a 90-day window from the ship date to return it for an exchange or full refund, excluding Shipping & Processing fees. All Ballard products are guaranteed against defects for one year from the shipment date.

Shipping is 10%-15% of order price

Shipping charges depend on your order's total value. Orders under $200 are charged 15% of the total order value, while orders of $200.01 and above are charged 10% of the total order value, with a maximum cap at $350. These charges are based on the original retail price of the product before any discounts are applied.

3-7 days to arrive

Smaller items are shipped via standard ground service and typically arrive in 3-7 business days for in-stock items. Some bulky or heavy items may carry an additional $20-$40/item oversized handling fee. Be aware that items ordered together may not be delivered simultaneously, and if your order includes personalized items, allow an extra three days.

Expedited shipping

For faster delivery, you can opt for Next Business Day or Two Business Day express service for an additional fee. Express orders received by 4 pm EST are shipped on the same day. The charges for expedited delivery depend on the weight of the items, with separate rates for items under 10 lbs. If the item weighs over 10 lbs., you'll see additional charges at checkout. Keep in mind that expedited order cut-off times may vary around federally recognized holidays.

Packages arrive damaged

Ballard Designs has a "B-" grade from the Better Business Bureau, but a rating average of only 1.63 on Sitejabber. Customer experience is largely poor, with a range of issues highlighted in reviews. Some customers have expressed frustration with supply chain and customer service problems, alleging that the company avoids taking responsibility for issues and even blocks those who voice concerns on social media. Packaging woes also feature prominently, with reports of items arriving in battered boxes, although the actual products sometimes fare better.

Price does not reflect quality

Product quality varies, with some customers satisfied while others find the value for their money lacking. A common theme is the need for multiple interactions with customer service due to missing or damaged items, adding inconvenience to the shopping experience. Obtaining refunds from Ballard also appears to be a cumbersome process, with lengthy waits and poor communication reported.

Look elsewhere first

We were not very impressed with Ballard's range or selection. After all, they limit themselves to that traditional aesthetic, so you're not going to find a wide variety of styles or cutting-edge designs. We were also quite concerned to read about some of the poor experiences detailed in customer reviews. On top of that, you can't get original paintings here, only reproductions. For these reasons, we would not recommend shopping Ballard Designs as your first choice for wall art.

Learn More  ➜

On the Ballard Designs website